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Results

Results

MLS Conference Semi-Finals Team of the Week

Evan Bush has been the best goalkeeper in these playoffs by far! Bush shutdown a New York Red Bull team that has GOLDEN BOOT WINNER Bradley Wright-Phillips and ASSIST LEADER Sacha Kljestan. Bush held the Red Bulls to one goal in two games and that is incredible. Bush was tested in both these games and came up with six saves. Evan Bush is going to be a huge part of this Montreal team if they are going to make it past Toronto FC in the next round of the playoffs.

DEF: Chad Marshall SEA

2x Team of the Playoffs

Chad Marshall is quietly the best defender on this Sounders squad. Many people look at the great jobs that Joevin Jones and Tyrone Mears have done but Chad Marshall is the anchor that holds them together. Marshall is a very large man that clears plenty of balls out of the box. The amount of balls that he cleared in his two games against FC Dallas was ridiculous.

DEF: Laurent Ciman MON

2x Team of the Playoffs

Last year`s defender of the year is playing great for the Impact so far in these playoffs. Ciman plays with a confidence that is needed for a center back to be successful. He helped out Evan Bush a lot by slowing the attack of Wright-Phillips and Sacha Kljestan. When thinking of the top defenders in MLS Ciman has to be in that discussion. He plays at a high level in every game and also he get minutes for Belgium, a phenomenal player.

DEF: Eriq Zavaleta TFC

1x Team of the Playoffs

Toronto FC didn`t allow a goal to NYCFC in this round of the playoffs and that was due in part to the play of Eriq Zavaleta on the back line. Zavaleta is one of the youngest players on this TFC defense and he can play at a very high level. When you combine the play of Zavaleta with the veterans that TFC has this defense can produce just like we expected them to in the beginning of the season. Zavaleta also impacted the offense in the second leg of this series. Zavaleta assisted on Altidore`s 30th minute goal against NYCFC.

DEF: Joevin Jones SEA

2x Team of the Playoffs

Last season Joevin Jones was starting with the Chicago Fire, and now he is starting (and making a huge impact) for the Seattle Sounders going into the Western Conference Finals. Jones has made a huge impact defensively and offensively for this Sounders squad. Jones pushes up the field from the fullback position and factors in the scoring sheet seemingly every game. This series Jones recorded two assists in the first leg against NYCFC. I love Jones and he will need to continue his pushing play from the backline for the Sounders to continue to score.

MID: Sam Cronin COL

1x Team of the Playoffs

Sam Cronin isn`t a huge name but this series against LA he was huge. Cronin “assisted” on Gashi`s stunner against the Galaxy setting up what would eventually be a win on penalty kicks. Cronin disrupted to attack of the Galaxy by playing very physical on Dos Santos and winning back possession. I was surprised with how much of a factor Cronin was and impressed overall with how he went about helping his team.

MID: Osvaldo Alonso SEA

1x Team of the Playoffs

Alonso might be one of the most hated players in MLS (if you aren`t a Sounders fan). Look, I get it, the guy plays very physical and he seems like he knows what he is doing on every foul. But you have to give him credit, he knows what he is doing. He will give 100% in order to see that his team comes through with a victory. Alonso will lay out one of the opposing teams best players to send a message. Since he was named captain he has played and lead at a whole other level! Alonso may be hated around the league but his team is winning thanks to him.

MID: Ignacio Piatti MON

2x Team of the Playoffs

Nacho Piatti is the perfect example of why MLS has designated players. When looking at a team throughout a season you expect your entire team to perform and play well. But in big games and in big time moments you sign DP`s to step up and Piatti has done just that. Ignacio Piatti came into New Jersey and scored a brace to make it impossible for NYRB to come through and win. Piatti is absolutely beautiful with the ball at his feet and was clutch for the Impact to become the first Canadian team to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

MID: Nicolas Lodiero SEA

1x Team of the Playoffs

The final midfielder on this week’s team of the week is the VERY VERY GOOD, Nicolas Lodiero. In the first leg of this series against FC Dallas, Lodiero scored twice in the 55th and 58th minute sealing a 3-0 win over FC Dallas. In the second leg Lodiero scored off of a beautiful play from Tyrone Mears leading to an away goal sealing the Sounders moving on over FC Dallas. Lodiero is a Giovinco-esc player and he is far better than any other player on the field.

FOR: Sebastian Giovinco TFC

2x Team of the Playoffs

Giovinco took the news of being snubbed as a MVP finalist very well. Giovinco didn`t factor in the score sheet during the first leg of the series but he sure did in the second leg. Giovinco scored a hat trick in New York sealing the TFC win and advancement into the eastern conference finals. Giovinco also factored in on the score sheet by assisting on Jonathan Osorio`s goal in the 50th minute.

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

FOR: Jozy Altidore TFC

2x Team of the Playoffs

I know it’s kind of cheap to take both starting forwards from one team in a team of the week but these both are VERY good. Altidore scored once in both legs of the series with NYCFC and also assisted on one of the Giovinco goals in the second leg. TFC has the best scoring threats left in the playoffs and now they are in a prime situation to win MLS Cup.